NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The ninth-ranked Christopher Newport softball team kicked off its home campaign with a pair of victories on Friday afternoon as the Captains toppled Kean, 5-1, before rolling past Juniata, 15-0, during an action-packed twin bill on the first day of the Cross Bay Bash at Captains Park.
 
During the doubleheader, Kaitlyn Hasty roped four hits in five at bats, including a titanic home run in the nightcap. That blast marked her 40th career homer, tying Christopher Newport Hall of Famer Sabrina Hill for second on the program's all-time charts.
 
Along with Hasty, Caitlin Abernethy also laced four hits and knocked in five runs. Meanwhile, in the circle, Kate Alger and Jamie Martin combined to toss 12 innings while allowing just six hits and one unearned run.
 
With the two victories, Christopher Newport now stands at 11-0 on the season. The setbacks dropped Kean to 9-3 and Juniata to 1-3.
 
In the opener, the Captains were engaged in a scoreless deadlock with Kean entering the bottom of the third inning. Looking to break through, Sarah Proctor tattooed the centerfield fence with a leadoff double before Abernethy chased her in with a single. Three batters later, Hasty continued the inning with an RBI single that gave the hosts a 2-0 lead.
 
Fostering a slim advantage, Christopher Newport continued to quiet the Kean lineup. In the top of the fourth, Alger worked out of a minor one-out jam. With a runner on third, the freshman induced an infield pop up before ending the frame with some high heat for her fifth strikeout of the contest. One inning later, she added two more punch-outs before Hasty made a tremendous play in the field.
 
After making a diving grab on a looper in the third inning, Hasty topped herself in the fifth. On a hot shot to first, she made a nice snag to her right. With the batter barreling down the line looking to leg out an infield hit, she turned and unleashed a fully-extended dive that saw her just tag the base before the Cougar reached the bag for the final out of the inning.
 
Looking to add a little breathing room, the Captains went back to work at the plate. In the fifth, Bailey Roberts flashed her wheels after scoring from first on a hit by Hasty. Then, in the sixth, Abernethy laced a two-run single to left, which brought home Brooke Childress and Olivia Tullous.
 
Entering the seventh with a 5-0 lead, Alger wrapped up her complete game victory. Although the Cougars were able to scratch out an unearned run, Alger eventually struck out three batters in the frame to limit the damage and wrap up the 5-1 triumph.
 
Overall, Alger finished the contest with 11 strikeouts in seven innings of work. Meanwhile, Hasty, Roberts, and Abernethy all added two hits apiece.
 
Following a brief break, Christopher Newport came back with an electric performance against Juniata in the nightcap. First, Roberts headlined the early innings by showcasing her right arm. In the first, she gunned down a would-be base-stealer with a missile to second. Then, in the second, she kicked off one of the more unique putouts in program history.
 
With a runner inching off second base, Roberts attempted a back-pick. The senior catcher rifled a seed to Tullos, who slipped in behind the Eagle. With the runner unable to go back, she was stuck in a pickle between second and third. Tullous eventually fired a strike to Natalie Carmichael, who was holding fort at the shortstop position.
 
As the Eagle retreated to second, Proctor came bursting in from centerfield. Eventually, Carmichael connected with her teammate, who laid down the tag and ended a perfectly-executed 2-4-6-8 pickoff.
 
Following the defensive showcase, Christopher Newport went to work on the offensive side. After Meredith Brickner singled to open the second inning, Sammy Drew took over on the bases. The freshman speedster quickly swiped second before advancing to third on a ground ball. Completing the circuit, she eventually crossed the plate after Carmichael slapped an RBI single up the middle.
 
Later in the inning, after Proctor joined the fun with a pair of steals, she came home on a base knock by Abernethy, which gave the Captains a 2-0 lead.
 
After securing a modest advantage, Christopher Newport put the game out of reach with a fantastic rally in the third inning. Hasty kicked off the frame with a monstrous home run to centerfield, which cleared the tree behind the stadium and the fences lining the football practice field. Following a walk to Brooke Greaver and a single by Childress, Carmichael came up and pieced together an unbelievable plate appearance.
 
Looking to load the bases, the senior star tormented the opposing pitcher. After falling behind in the count, Carmichael settled in for an epic showdown. Fouling off pitch after pitch, she refused to go down quietly. Eventually, she won the marathon battle and worked a 14-pitch walk to secure a well-earned free pass.
 
Following the lengthy grudge match, Proctor quickly followed with a two-run double before Tullous knocked in a pair with a single to center. Keeping their foot on the gas, Abernethy and Greaver added RBI singles, while Brickner worked a bases-loaded walk to cap off a nine-run inning.
 
Holding a double-digit edge, Christopher Newport cruised to the five-inning victory. In the fourth, the Captains took advantage of three Juniata errors and a two-run shot by Caroline Helmer to snatch a 15-0 lead. Later, Martin struck out three in the top of the fifth to lock up the win.
 
Eventually, Martin scattered three hits and added seven strikeouts during her complete game victory. Meanwhile, at the plate, 11 Captains had at least one hit, including two apiece by Abernethy and Hasty.
 
Christopher Newport will return to action on Sunday when the Captains continue the Cross Bay Bash with a doubleheader against Muhlenberg beginning at 2:30 p.m.
 
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